I bought a 1648 basic Jon with a 25 electric start Merc tiller, all ‘03 with 40 hours on it last July for $5000. After rigging and market changes I could sell it for double. Boat prices are more unstable than the stock market. If I was in your shoes I’d keep the Ranger.
Creativity is just intelligence fooling around
I waited for a good deal on a boat for 6 months but it never found one. I ran across a 14ft fiberglass skiff with a 5hp Mercury for $1800. I fish by myself 99% of time so the length of the boat did not bother me. I knew it was underpowered with the 5hp. I found a 2019 25hp Mercury with 2hrs on it for $2000 from a water rescue fire department. I added livescope, new seats and trolling motor and know I have a nice crappie rig for less than 5K. I was expecting prices to drop after COVID but the increased rapidly. Bass Tracker and a entry level boat for $10k and now 3 years later the boat goes for 18k.
skeetbum LIKED above post
I have a 2012 20 ft xpress with a 200 SHO. Could probably get $25 for it even without new electronics. Absolutely crazy what people are asking for used boats and trucks. A 5 year old boat can get 85 % or more of the original price. A 5 year old truck may get the original price or more. Saw an add on FB for a 20 year old 115 hp yamaha for $9800. Could it have cost that much?
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FISH for LIFE
HUMANKIND......be both
I think we’re all a fan of Richard Gene to some point. I’ve noticed he has three Jon boats. One looks like a 14’, the next one looks to be a 17’ with a 50, but the new one really has my attention. An 1860 tiller with no console and a bare bones approach to everything. Let me go ahead and tell ya, don’t go price one if you don’t want your feelings hurt. That’s a great fishing platform for folks like us but the boat makers have lost their minds.
Creativity is just intelligence fooling around